Foals and Disclosure to co-headline Leeds Festival

Tony Harber

Foals and Disclosure have been announced as co-headliners for this year’s Leeds Festival, set to take place again at Bramham Park over the August bank holiday.

Today’s announcement adds to the previously revealed main stage headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers for the event from August 26 to 28.

In a Leeds Festival first, two bastions of modern British music will be making the step up to the largest festival stages of their careers, bringing together two defining acts of a generation.

Returning after their festival-stopping surprise set last year, 2016 will see Foals in their debut headline performance at Leeds while dance phenomenon Disclosure will co-headline with them with their first-ever major UK festival headlining set. Their 2014 performance saw crowds overflowing the NME/Radio 1 Stage, so organisers expect plenty of interest in their main stage appearance.

Festival organiser Melvin Benn said: “I couldn’t be more excited about this announcement.

A co-headline with two of the most promising British acts out there; Foals’ secret set last year was a highlight for me, as I’m sure their debut headline slot will be, coupled with the phenomenal Disclosure – we’re very proud to be able to give these acts the recognition they deserve.”

“It’s a dream come true. I used to watch Nirvana live at Reading ‘92, on vhs, repeatedly while dying my hair blue and learning how to play guitar, badly. We’ve worked our way up on our own terms and to be given the chance to headline one of world’s most iconic festivals is a huge achievement for us and hopefully a sign for all bands, that, if you stick to your guns and focus on what matters, you’ll get there & smash it.

“Onwards & upwards friends. Long live the guitar band.”

Other additions to the line-up announced include dance super group Jack Ü, hip-hop act Fetty Wap, indie band Two Door Cinema Club, electro act Crystal Castles and Imagine Dragons, who wowed a big crowd on the main stage in 2014.

UK festival exclusive sets will be played by Parkway Drive and The Internet while breakthrough act Nothing But Thieves will be bringing a range of heavy cuts from their eponymous debut album released late last year.

More dance music will come from Oliver Heldens and Hannah Wants and on the Alternative Stage headliners Kurupt FM will present Champagne Steam Rooms. Here will also be the place for Cassetteboy who have enlisted the help of their shouty friend DJ Rubbish to create a comedy disco.

Weekend tickets for the 2016 Leeds Festival are on sale now at £205 plus £8 booking fee from www.leedsfestival.com